Chapter 32: Gion

Gion tilted her head and said, "I have my own reasons for looking for Carl. Since he's not here, I'll take my leave."

With that, she walked past Ginny without looking back, ready to leave.

Ginny frowned slightly, then suddenly flashed in front of Gion, blocking her path. "Brother Carl and I have known each other since childhood. If you have something to say, you can tell me first. I'll let him know when he returns."

Gion was startled by Ginny's speed. Hearing her claim to be Carl's childhood friend, she stopped and asked with interest, "Oh? So, you two are childhood sweethearts. Why does my little sister seem so nervous? Are you Carl's girlfriend?"

"H-Hey! What are you talking about? My relationship with Brother Carl isn't like that!"

Ginny stood frozen, her face flushed, tugging at the corners of her clothes. Jessica, watching from the side, slapped her forehead helplessly. *No hope at all...* she thought.

Gion smirked, reaching out a finger and poking Ginny's chest, feeling its elasticity. "Then I must've misunderstood. So it's just an unrequited love, right?"

At those words, Ginny bristled like an angry kitten, shouting, "You're the one with unrequited love! Brother Carl definitely—"

"What?" Gion asked, her tone teasing.

Ginny struggled for words, her face turning even redder. In frustration, she shook her head. "This has nothing to do with you! Just tell me what business you have with Brother Carl!"

Gion shrugged, placing her left hand on the hilt of her sword, gently rubbing it. "I came to see the so-called strongest student in this class. Sister Tsuru always speaks highly of him."

Hearing that Gion was here to challenge Carl, someone stepped forward before Ginny could respond.

"Then, Miss Gion, why don't you spar with me first? I see that you're also a swordswoman."

Momonga and the others exchanged knowing glances, smirking. *Taking advantage of Carl's absence to show off in front of a beautiful woman—how sly.*

Gion observed the student who had spoken, then nodded slightly. "Fair enough. It wouldn't be proper to challenge the strongest right away."

She unsheathed her sword and made a respectful swordsman's salute. Her expression turned serious.

Maris hurriedly returned the gesture, drawing his own katana. Just then, Momonga spoke up. "Miss Gion, if I'm not mistaken, that sword in your hand is the famous blade, Konpira."

As a dedicated swordsman, Momonga had memorized most of the world's legendary swords. He often spent his nights poring over sword catalogues… before falling asleep.

Gion glanced at him with mild approval. "Yes, this Konpira was a birthday gift from Sister Tsuru. I treasure it greatly."

"Sister Tsuru… wait, are you talking about Vice Admiral Tsuru?" another student asked.

"Yes."

A collective gasp spread through the group. Vice Admiral Tsuru was a legend within the Marines, on the same level as Sengoku the Buddha.

Jessica leaned in and whispered to Ginny, "She's Vice Admiral Tsuru's sister? If she gets entangled with Carl, this could be trouble!"

Ginny, however, remained unbothered. She simply nodded, unconcerned by Gion's background. *What does it matter? Could her background possibly be bigger than my Carl's?*

Maris wiped his forehead nervously, suddenly regretting his earlier bravado. *This is Vice Admiral Tsuru's sister! If I go too hard and injure her… Even if Tsuru doesn't care, someone else surely will!*

Gion, sensing the tension, chuckled. "Relax, this is just a friendly spar. There won't be any unnecessary drama. Besides..."

A cold light gleamed across Konpira's blade. Gion's aura shifted—her previous flirtatiousness vanished, replaced by a deadly sharpness. Her voice turned icy.

"I don't think I'm weaker than any man."

---

With a flash, Gion disappeared from sight. The next instant, she reappeared behind Maris, thrusting Konpira toward his lower back.

Maris reacted instinctively, spinning around just in time to parry her attack. The force from her strike made his hands tremble.

Realizing the fight was serious, he abandoned all distractions, gritted his teeth, and pushed her back with brute strength. Flames flickered along the edge of his katana as he vibrated the blade at extreme speed.

Gion's eyes narrowed slightly. "Hmm… The flames are created by high-speed friction with the air. An interesting technique."

Maris gripped his sword with both hands and leaped, swinging down a heavy slash.

Gion, rather than blocking, easily sidestepped with graceful footwork, creating distance.

Maris recovered quickly, ready to chase, but Gion suddenly sheathed Konpira. She shifted her stance slightly—a clear sign of an Iai strike.

Compared to Maris' broad movements, Gion stood still, like a coiled spring waiting to snap.

The moment he stepped forward, she moved.

Konpira sliced through the air, tracing a beautiful arc. A pink sword aura shot forward, striking Maris' katana precisely.

With that single motion, Gion twirled her sword, turned her back to him, and began walking toward the other students—declaring her victory without a word.

Maris gritted his teeth, struggling to withstand the pressure from her sword energy, but within seconds, he lost his grip. His katana flew from his hands as he was sent sprawling onto the ground.

Momonga, watching in awe, muttered, "She can already release sword energy… As expected from Vice Admiral Tsuru's sister."

As the stunned students looked on, Gion placed a hand on her hip, her bright smile returning.

"If this is the level of Marine School's top students, then maybe I don't need to wait for Carl to come back after all."